Stanmore Common, Bentley Priory and Stanmore Country Park
London
The high ground above Stanmore holds three large nature reserves on the edge of the capital, and this 8.7km circuit links them all, with dogs kept to the paths around Bentley Priory's lake and ponds. Stanmore Common, 49 hectares of woodland and heath with two ponds, is what remains of the common land left after the Great Stanmore Inclosure Act of 1813, and it feels surprisingly wild. Bentley Priory Nature Reserve, 55 hectares of ancient hornbeam woodland, old hay meadows and wetland, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest beside the wartime RAF Fighter Command headquarters; its Summerhouse Lake is named after a gazebo built for Queen Adelaide in the 1840s. Stanmore Country Park adds the London Viewpoint, looking south over the city. From the free car park on Warren Lane the loop covers about 154 metres of ascent on woodland paths, heath and grassland, and the London Clay in the lower sections gets very muddy.
This dog friendly walk has woodland and heath where a dog with reliable recall can be off lead for stretches, but these are nature reserves and dogs should stay on the paths and out of the ponds and lake. A private deer park is fenced off inside Bentley Priory, so keep your dog close along its boundary and near the muntjac that live on the Common. There is shade most of the way. There are no pubs on the route, but cafes are in Stanmore.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.7 km (5.4 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 40 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Heathland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- None on route; cafes in Stanmore town centre. No pubs in Stanmore.
- Parking
- Stanmore Common car park, Warren Lane, Harrow Council, free. Stanmore station (Jubilee line) is on the route.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Stanmore Common, Bentley Priory and Stanmore Country Park, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stanmore Common, Bentley Priory and Stanmore Country Park dog friendly?
This 8.7km circuit linking three nature reserves above Stanmore is a solid option for dogs, earning a 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The woodland, heath and grassland give dogs plenty to explore, though within Bentley Priory Nature Reserve dogs need to stay on the paths, particularly around Summerhouse Lake and the ponds. It's a great outing for dogs who enjoy varied terrain and lots of sniffing.
Can dogs be off lead at Stanmore Common, Bentley Priory and Stanmore Country Park?
Dogs with reliable recall can enjoy stretches off lead across the woodland and heath, but these are protected nature reserves so they must stay on the paths and out of the ponds and lake. There's also a private deer park fenced off within Bentley Priory, and muntjac deer live on the Common, so you'll want to keep your dog close along the deer park boundary and any time deer are nearby.
What should I know before visiting Stanmore Common, Bentley Priory and Stanmore Country Park with my dog?
The route covers around 154 metres of ascent on a mix of woodland paths, heath and grassland, and the London Clay in the lower sections can get seriously muddy, so boots and a dog towel are worth bringing. There's good shade for most of the walk, which helps on warmer days. There are no facilities on the route itself, but cafes are available in Stanmore town centre, and the free car park on Warren Lane is a handy starting point — or you can pick up the loop from Stanmore station on the Jubilee line.
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